Handsfree Dispenser

     It is a great feeling of security when using a sensor-operated soap dispenser, especially in a public restroom.  Even in the home having a touchless soap dispenser is essential when handling food, especially meats like chicken or fish.  Salmonella and e.coli from contaminated food can really make you sick.

     There are two types of soap dispensers for restrooms and institutions. One type can be mounted like a faucet on the countertop. It looks like a faucet.  Other dispensers are mounted on the wall.  Both types use either a foam soap or a liquid soap.  These soap dispensers can be used in the home also.

     In addition to wall and countertop mounted dispensers there are models that stand on the kitchen, bathroom, or restaurant countertop.  These automatic devices use batteries that can last through many uses.  Any touchfree  step in the process of handwashing like sensor-operated soap dispensers eliminates some cross-contamination of germs.

     Many of us work in an office or industry where we have to use a computer.  Often there are multiple users on that computer or computers.  Each person contributes his or her own microbes that are present on their hands. At times these microbes are disease-causing germs. Colds and flus can be spread in this manner. Bacteria like e.coli are a threat when people who use the restroom omit handwashing and then type on the keyboard. Sickdays taken by workers can be expensive so preventing illness should be a motivating factor.

     One method of doing this is to provide waterproof keyboards in the workplace. These keyboards can be washed with solutions or disinfected with wipes. Some can even be washed in the dishwasher. Disinfectant wipes can clean the keyboards between users and a thorough washing or disinfectant solution can be used at the end of the workday.

     Most people have seen an automatic toilet flusher in a public restroom.  They are installed in offices, schools, airports, hospitals, and other work areas.  We have come to expect them in these places. We appreciate the fact that we do not have to touch germs left behind by others. As we move away from the toilet, the sensor-operated flusher goes to work.

     Are you aware that this modern technology is available on tank type toliets as well?  These tank toilets are present in some public restrooms as well as in the home.  In the home bathroom germs are left on surfaces by family members and also visitors that use the facility.  When a family member is sick, there is a chance of spreading the illness as he or she uses the bathroom.  Who knows what germs are left behind by visitors.  Little tots who are not aware of microbes are not that careful about personal hygiene and may contribute to the contamination.  For these reasons an automatic tank toliet flusher would be a sanitary addition to the bathroom. They are easily installed and the batteries last a long time. There is an allowance for manual operation as well.  Watch the installation video on the link below.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfPlUhVjMMA&feature=related

        Children can be oblivious to clean hands or clean anything else for that matter. They have to be taught to wash their hands in the bathroom, before eating, after playing with pets. The list goes on but the most important time to wash hands is before eating.

Another thing to teach them is to sneeze or cough into the elbow so as not to spread cold and flu viruses. Parents and teachers can stress this with children. Day care centers and classrooms can be breeding places for children. Those in charge can use disinfectant wipes on toys, computers and other commonly used items especially during the cold and flu season.

We are not looking for overkill because research has shown that early exposure to harmless microbes can boost immunity to diseases and allergens. Good common sense instructions on personal hygiene and awareness of contamination are all that are neccessary to keep chilren from harmful germs

      There is an awareness these days about catching colds and flus, probably because of the H1N1 publicity.  People seem to be more careful about contaminating their hands .  They now sanitize or wash their hands before eating.  They even remind each other about these matters. Parents instruct their children, no matter what age, about handwashing and sneezing and couching into a tissue or elbow instead of their hands.

     A convenient way to teach younger children about avoiding germs and not sneezing or coughing them into the air is to use  Germy Wormy disposalable sleeve covers. The clever sleeves have a picture of Germy Wormy who eats the germs that are sneezed onto him. Childcare centers and parents get good results with them.

     One important message needs to be passed around.  When one leaves a public restroom, and the establishment has not installed a Sanitary Door Opener, use your paper towel to open the door.  After all, your washed hands should not be contaminated as you leave.

     Handwashing is important when it comes to good health.  If done properly, it removes microbes that we have picked up on our hands.  Not all of these microbes pose a health risk.  In fact , some bacteria on our skin are the good guys and they get rinsed away as well.

    Now with the flu season upon us, most people are especially aware that their hands can transmit flu germs.  While we should all have good handwashing habits year round , avoiding a flu infection is a good motivator when it comes to handwashing.

    Wash your hands before eating, after coming in contact with public restroom devices, handling sums of money,  shaking many hands,  handling litter boxes, using keyboards used by others, changing diapers, opening your mail ( many hands have handled your mail) and visiting a hospital or nursing home.  These are only some suggestions , there are more circumstances.

     Automatic soap dispensers, hands free faucets, and touchfree towel dispensers in public places are  there to protect us from cross-contamination.

     Influenza, the Flu, is on just everybody’s mind.  We read about it and hear it on television. They project that HINI, the Swine Flu  will become a problem.  So what can be done to  help prevent getting it?  Simple, common sense measures can go a long way.  They are:

            Wash your hands before eating

            Wash your hands after changing diapers, using the bathroom, pushing a shopping cart,  etc

           If you sneeze or cough, do it into your elbow.

          You can use disinfectant wipes on objects like doorknobs and motel TV remotes.

          Keep hand sanitizer handy in your car or pocket.

    Those who have compromised immune systems or who are pregnant need to do more with their doctors.  Everyone should be aware of their hands so as not to spread the flu.

    One quick way to get rid of germs on objects is to use a hand-held sanitizer. This device uses the same Ultraviolet (UV) technology found in hospitals to sterilize surgical instruments. It allows you to disinfect  items such as workplace keyboards, telephones, doorknobs, and so on.  It is useful in the home in sanitizing toothbrushes (they sustain hundreds of germ colonies), cutting boards, baby products, and more.

     The sanitizer is held 1/2 to 1 inch above the contaminated surface for approximately 15 seconds for small areas and 10 to 15 minutes for larger areas.  The UV light attacks the germs, killing their DNA which prevents them from reproducing. This can help avoiding E.coli, staphylococcus, salmonella, the flu, and colds.  It’s great for allery and asma sufferers also.  One can take along a sanitizer when travelling and staying in motels/hotels the TV remote is notorious for harboring germs.

     The government recently has had warnings on TV that the Swine Flu statistics will be increasing in our country.This is influenced by global travel.  The strategy to use here to avoid becoming a Swine Flu statistic is to use plain, ordinary common sense.  As with any infection, in this case influenza, our hands are the most frequent transmitter of germs.  Next is sneezing and coughing into the air.

      Let’s take cross-contamination via germ-ridden hands.  We can pick up many illness-causing germs by using phones, keyboards, door handles, shopping carts, money, shaking hands, pubic restroom devices and the list goes on.  Illness can be avoided by simple and proper handwashing says the Center for Disease Control.   When using a public restroom, the final germ free devices are hands free towel dispensers and hands free door openers.  Feel confident with these.

      Keyboards, phones, door knobs, shopping carts, and other objects can be disinfected with germicidal wipes. Anther way to rid the hands of contamination is to carry hand sanitizer.  Use it after handling objects and before eating.

     Sneeze and cough into your elbow. This action shields the germs from becoming airborne. The elbow is not used to handle things.  These simple steps can keep you healthy.

     We all know of someone who is a germaphobe, even if it is a celebrity like the deceased Howard Hughes.  Somehow we think of them as weird or fanatical.  They range from those who are constantly washing or sanitizing their hands to those who keep a really clean home to the medical-dental professionals. One does not have to be labelled a germaphobe just because one is aware that there exists a whole microworld around us. Not all microbes are harmful, but since we don’t walk around with microscopes, we cannot seperate them. The recent flu scares make us conscious of our coughs, sneezes, and germy hands.  That is when we become germaphobes in order to avoid illness. Medical and Dental professions have strict protocals to avoid cross-contamination.  They use germicides, barriers, and aseptic techniques to protect the patient and themselves.

     We are seeing more touchless devices in restrooms like hands free towel dispensers, door openers, and flushers. True there are still not enough but the awareness is growing. Are you a gremaphobe if you don’t want to handle something unclean in a restroom?  Is coughing into your elbow not your hands the sign of a germaphobe? I think it is common sense behavior. So the next time you see a “germaphobe” doing something think about it and maybe you will learn a lesson in staying healthy.

     The Swine Flu, HINI, has caused quite a stir with the public.  There is no need to panic. The CDC says that handwashing and hand sanitizers are important measures to take to prevent the spread of the disease. Eating pork that has been cooked to reach 160 degrees is safe to eat. Disinfecting objects is advised.  Staying home when displaying symptoms is greatly stressed. Unnecessary travel ought to be postponed.  One important way that the flu is transmitted is by respiratory means, whether it is by breathing the virus or by touching the nose with contaminated hands. This is where a face mask can be worn to protect against the sneezes and coughs of a sick person.  The N-95 mask is a respiratory device and is the recommended type to use.